ASTech’s 2014 Winners – ASTech Awards

Dr. Eddy Isaacs was honoured for his Outstanding Contribution To The Alberta Science And Technology Community, specifically in energy and environmental innovation. As the former CEO of the division known as Alberta Innovates – Energy and Environmental Solutions (AI-EES), he was pivotal in advancing Alberta’s energy sector, focusing on supporting the creation of viable technologies for the oil sands, and fostering collaboration between industry, government, and academia. Isaacs also took on the role of Director General at CanmetENERGY to align provincial and federal research efforts.

Decisive Farming (now part of Telus Agriculture) won the Innovation in Agricultural Science Award for transforming farm management through innovative data integration and variable rate technology. Founded by Remi Schmaltz, Tasha Schmaltz, and Garth Donald. Based in Irricana, in rural Alberta, Decisive Farming developed tools like Optimize RX™ and My Farm Manager™ to enhance decision-making and increase efficiency for grain and oilseed farmers.

Syncrude Canada Ltd. Research and Development won the ASTech Special Award for its 50 years of pioneering work in the oil sands industry. Established in 1964, the Syncrude R&D team played a critical role in developing technologies that have become foundational to the industry, including hydro transport and froth treatment. Their commitment to innovation through their research facility in the Edmonton Research Park and collaborations with Alberta universities, has significantly advanced oil sands extraction – improving reliability, profitability, and environmental performance across the industry. Syncrude become part of Suncor in 2021.

Dr. Fadhel Ghannouchi, recognized for Outstanding Leadership in Alberta Technology, led groundbreaking research in sustainable radio systems at the Schulich School, Department of Electrical and Software Engineering, University of Calgary – significantly reducing energy consumption in communication networks. As the founder of the iRadio Lab, he developed green amplification technologies that cut the energy use of wireless transmitters by 50%, with global implications for reducing carbon footprints and operational costs. His mentorship of over 100 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows has further positioned Alberta as a sustainable communication technology research leader.

Dr. Warren Finlay (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta), honoured for Outstanding Leadership in Alberta Science, has become the world’s leading engineering researcher in inhaled pharmaceutical aerosols. His research significantly improved drug delivery for asthma, COPD, and cystic fibrosis and helped revolutionize inhaler design, improving drug delivery methods and positively impacting millions of patients globally. Dr. Finlay is the founding Director of the Aerosol Research Laboratory of Alberta (ARLA), and was the recipient of various academic awards for outstanding achievement, including lifetime designations as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, Fellow of the Engineering Institute of Canada, and Fellow of the American Association for Aerosol Research.

Dr. Alex Ramirez-Serrano, winner of the Outstanding Achievement in Applied Technology and Innovation Award, has revolutionized the development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) through his work at the Schulich School, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering. Dr Ramirex-Serrano founded the U nmanned Vehicles (UVs) Robotarium laboratory and 4Front Robotics, which specializes in creating highly maneuverable drones and custom field unmanned vehicles for deployment in confined spaces like collapsed buildings. His current work also involves developing medical robotics for minimally invasive surgery and rehabilitation.

iConnectivity Technologies Inc. won the Innovation in Information and Communications Technology Award for revolutionizing the music industry by integrating iOS technology with digital music interfaces. The company developed innovative products like iConnectMIDI, which allow musicians to seamlessly connect and network their devices. Today, iConnectivity develops hardware and software for musicians that add computers and mobile devices to their toolset.

Dr. Mark Boyce was recognized for Outstanding Leadership in Alberta Science for his world-leading contributions to wildlife ecology and conservation biology. Dr. Boyce is a Professor of Ecology at the University of Alberta – having obtained his Master’s degree while in Alaska, and his PhD at Yale. His research spans stochastic demography, grizzly bear population management, and wolf recovery, significantly impacting conservation practices and policies. Today, Dr. Boyce’s work focuses on developing mathematical and simulation models for conserving and managing ecological systems, with expertise in population viability, resource selection, predator-prey dynamics, and carbon sequestration in grasslands.

Wonderville won the Excellence in Science and Technology Public Awareness Award for its innovative approach to making science education engaging and accessible for kids. Developed by MindFuel, Wonderville.org hosts interactive games, learning activities and videos, and a STEM career showcase – all of which make learning science fun and relatable for students in Grades 1 to 9. Wonderville was developed to support Alberta’s Program of Studies, and since its launch in the early 2000s, has reached millions of users worldwide – inspiring a new generation to explore and enjoy science through its comprehensive and thoughtfully developed content.

Dr. Julia Foght, a professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta, received the Innovation in Oil Sands Research Award for redefining tailings ponds as active ecosystems with rich microbial biodiversity. Her groundbreaking work revealed that these ponds contain over 100 million microbes per liter, including approximately 1,000 different species, some unique to these environments, which play a crucial role in biodegradation and long-term reclamation strategies.

Surface Medical Inc., recognized for Outstanding Science and Technology Startup, developed CleanPatch, an innovative medical technology that restores hospital mattresses to a cleanable state, reducing the risk of hospital-acquired infections. Under CEO Fabrizio Chiacchia‘s leadership, the company tackled a critical healthcare challenge by providing a cost-effective solution that enhanced patient safety and prolonged mattress life. Surface Medical continues to advance hospital hygiene with initiatives like the CleanCare Project, aiming to reduce infection risks in healthcare settings further.

Additional 2014 Winners Include:

Zedi (now part of Emerson), recognized with the Outstanding Achievement in Applied Technology and Innovation Award, revolutionized the oil and gas industry with its Smart-Alek gas flow measurement device. Founded in the Edmonton Research Park and offices in Calgary, Zedi’s technology was stated as delivering ‘absolute perfection. Zedi allowed producers to monitor well-site operations remotely in real-time, enhancing safety, efficiency, and collaboration.
Cantega Technologies Inc.(now part of Hubbell Power Systems), the winner of the Outstanding Achievement in Environmental Technology and Innovation Award, has revolutionized power systems by developing precise-fit protection covers that prevent outages caused by wildlife. Founded by Marty Niles, a former power lineman, Cantega’s Greenjacket technology utilized photogrammetry to create exact replicas of electrical equipment, significantly reducing animal-caused outages by 95% in areas like AltaLink’s systems.
Dr. Matthew Benesch, recipient of the Leaders of Tomorrow Award, is a physician-scientist pursuing an MD/PhD at the University of Alberta. His groundbreaking research focuses on inhibiting the enzyme autotaxin, which promotes cancer growth. This has the potential to improve chemotherapy and patient outcomes. Driven by a deep commitment to helping others, Benesch combined his scientific work with volunteering, aiming to translate his research into meaningful advancements in cancer treatment.